April 30, 2010

The time has come… while my posts have been infrequent… it’s time to get my ass in gear and do what I have to. I’ve even hot linked the titles of the movies (up to a point, I’ll update later in the summer) to their trailer on youtube. You’re welcome. Still my most viewed post every year… it’s time for:

The ReversiblePanda’s Guide to Summer Movies 2010

We will start the guide with the first REAL release of the summer… Iron Man 2:

(All dates subject to change)

MAY 7th

Iron Man 2 – Seriously… if this isn’t on your calendar… put it there now. Go ahead, I’ll wait. Got it? Good. The first one exceeded my expectations so greatly, it will be easy for this one to fall short. While the preliminary reviews aren’t exactly glowing, I feel most of them are comparing it to the first which is unfair because the first was damn near a perfect film. Take the original, subtract Hustle & Flow guy and put in Don Cheadle (a far superior actor), toss in Mickey Rourke and Sam Rockwell and garnish with Scarlett Johansson. I’ll be there in the packed theater at midnight.

Babies – A documentary. Think Planet Earth only without all the cool animals and far away vistas. Just babies. Okay, yeah, pretty cute and easy to market. Maybe I’ll add it to my netflix queue.

Casino Jack and the United States of Money – Another documentary. This one about Jack Abramoff. Remember that guy. Not as cute as a baby. If you need to see a documentary as palate cleanser after the pants raising awesomeness of Iron Man 2 I suggest the one above, not so much this one.

Mother and Child – Annette Bening, Naomi Watts, and Kerry Washington, A drama centered around three women: A 50-year-old woman, the daughter she gave up for adoption 35 years ago, and an African American woman looking to adopt a child of her own. Apparently the counter programming to Iron Man is baby fever.

Multiple Sarcasms – Timothy Hutton, and Mira Sorvino in a movie about a guy who writes a play. The title is pretty witty… and the poster looks like a cover of the New Yorker… and that’s probably about all you need to know to decide whether or not you’ll see this one.

Solitary Man – a former owner of a car dealership chain whose career and marriage were destroyed by his business and romantic indiscretions starring… Michael Douglas. Is it just me or has Michael Douglas turned into the low-rent version of Michael Douglas?

May 14th

Just Wright – Oh yes! Queen Latifah rom-com! With Common… as a basketball star!!! You know I am going to … avoid this like the plague.

Letters to Juliet – Is this the one where Amanda Seyfried is 9 kinds of naked and making out with Julianne Moore? No. I’ll pass.

Robin Hood– Now this is what I’m talking about. It’s like a sequel to Gladiator with arrows instead of swords. It’s my first Russell Crowe movie since 3:10 to Yuma that I’m rally geeked about. It’s not all Russell though… Cate Blanchett as Marion and Mark Strong who quite frankly might be the coolest bad guy in film to come along in a while. Screenplay by Brian Helgeland?!! Oh for fucks sake just buy my ticket now.

May 21st

MacGruber – Here’s where I tell you why you should give this movie a chance, seeing as how it’s based on a series of 1 minute long SNL sketches. Two words: Val Kilmer. Why should that convince you? Because he plays a villain named Dieter Von Cunth. If that in conjunction with Will Forte doesn’t get you excited… you and I probably don’t hang out much.

Shrek Forever After – Plus = Jon Hamm and Jane Lynch join the cast. Minus = everything else. It’ll probably be fine… have a couple of drinks and watch it at home on DVD.

May 27th

Nothing comes out today. Oh… Sex and the City 2… but I refuse to give it so much as a bullet point.

May 28th

Agora– A historical drama set in Roman Egypt, concerning a slave who turns to the rising tide of Christianity in the hopes of pursuing freedom while also falling in love with his master, the famous female philosophy professor and atheist Hypatia of Alexandria. Meh. Wait… Rachel Weisz is playing Hypatia. I’m in. I would watch her read a phonebook. Hell! I would watch her take a shit. Okay… maybe not that… but I’ll totally watch her in a toga. Tunic. Whatever.

Micmacs – I know nothing about this movie other than it’s a fantasy comedy about a guy with a bullet in his brain who takes down an arms manufacturer… but… it’s directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. This is the guy who directed Delicatessen, Alien:Resurrection and City of Lost Children which is easily my favorite foreign film. Regardless of anything else, the visuals should be stunning.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time– Speaking of visuals… no I’m not talking about Jake Gyllenhablegabblehalls abs. I’m talking about the whirling sand, the parkour stunts, all of the Mummy-esque special effects. I do have higher expectations than you would expect for this one though… it may look all summer blockbuster sugar with no nourishment but it’s directed by the same guy that directed Donnie Brasco… so fingers crossed.

Survival of the Dead – How can the “dead,” “survive?” That just doesn’t make sense. But then, George Romero’s been slipping lately. Much respect to him for being the ‘creator’ of the zombie genre, but his last one… yikes… the zombies weren’t half as scary as the production values… zing!

June 4th

Get Him to the Greek – I still have no idea if this is supposed to be a sequel or a “companion piece” to Forgetting Sarah Marshall. It’s got Russell Brand as a rock star and Jonah Hill as a fat guy. Are they the same rock star and fat guy from the other movie? Who knows. But it’ll probably have some funny bits.

Killers – True Lies. Except with Ashton Kutcher as the super-spy who didn’t tell his wife that he was a super-spy.

Marmaduke – Damn you Emma Stone… your hotness is being wasted. George Lopez in another movie about a dog. Sure it’s a famous dog, and sure my girlfriend will probably make me go see it, but I won’t enjoy anything about it except Emma.

Ondine – The original mythology behind Ondine is an immortal water nymph who have no soul unless a man impregnates them and they bear a child. Sort of like the little mermaid crossed with a succubus. It looks pretty classy and Colin Ferrell has impressed me lately, this might be a nice summer palette cleanser in between explosiongasm movies.

Splice – Doctors in love splicing DNA. Splice Dr.Moreau and Altered States and have Sarah Polley and Adrien Brody create huffalumps… I give you Splice.

June 11th

The A-Team – The first high profile retread of this week. The trailer looks like it will be full of preposterous action sequences. Shooting from a tank that’s been dropped from a plane… really? That has never stopped me before. I will go. If just to watch Rampage Jackson crush things.

The Karate Kid – God damn it!!! Leave my childhood alone. Will Smith’s spawn in the Ralph Macchio role and Jackie Chan filling Pat Morita’s sandals… just stop. Hopefully this will get decimated by the A-Team, but it probably won’t. It’s family friendly and gen-x’ers like myself will bring their kids in droves… might I suggest you stay home and rent the original. Damnitall!!!

Winter’s Bone – I know absolutely nothing about this film except that it will make approximately 29 dollars on its opening weekend. Ok, it won Sundance… which means it’s good… but… the only reason you open a film with no stars on a day with two potential blockbusters in the summer is to fulfill a contractual obligation. Good luck finding this one at the theaters.

June 18th

I Am Love – Tilda Swinton is good in everything she does. Here I’m sure is no exception. I also have never seen a movie starring Tilda Swinton on the big screen, only on cable, long after it has left the theater. This I’m sure is no exception.

Jonah Hex – For the uninitiated, Jonah Hex is based on a comic about a disfigured gunslinger bounty hunter who wears a confederate army uniform. If it stays as bloody as the comic it’ll be worth it. Brolin’s make-up looks great so it’s a good sign. Megan Fox is the hottie of the film and I don’t think I’m the only one who’s over her completely… I’m not thrilled about her, but she will admittedly look good in a corset… better to do that here than in a period drama.

Let It Rain – Original title: Parlez-moi de la pluie. Sorry… not seeing a French film in the middle of June… I just won’t do it.

Toy Story 3 – Silly Andy, going off to college and donating your toys to a day care… I hope you realize that you still want to live at home as a man child and leave college to come back and rescue your toys from the day care… oh … is that what happens? Did I ruin the movie for you? Sorry.

June 25th

Dogtooth – I don’t know what this movie is, or where it’s from. You’ve got 3 teenagers living in a isolated estate (is it even on earth??) who create a new language and then discover sex which inevitably tears them apart. So… I’ll call this one… The Others in the Blue Lagoon.

Grown Ups – A cast of comedy all-stars!! Well… Adam Sandler and some friends. Old friends from SNL wanted to make a movie, so they did, unfortunately with Chris Farley no longer around, Kevin James fills the fat guy pants.

Knight & Day – I can buy Cameron Diaz as a single woman who has trouble with men… but Tom Cruise as a secret agent?? Come to think of it, this is pretty well worn territory for both of them.

June 30th

Twilight: Eclipse – Some movie about werewolves and vampires, I’m not familiar with it by choice.

June (undetermined)

Love Ranch– Though it hasn’t chosen a release date yet… I felt the need to include this Taylor Hackford film because it stars his wife, Helen (too old to be that sexy) Mirren, and Joe (where the fuck have I been) Pesci. It’s based on the real-life story of Joe and Sally Conforte, who in 1971 opened Mustang Ranch, the first legalized house of prostitution in Nevada. I’m at least adding this to my netflix. Despite the fact that with an Academy Award-worthy director and actors, it’s getting released in the summer.

July 2nd

The Last Airbender – Formerly known as Avatar: The Last Airbender, M. Night Shamalamadingdong says this is his best film. Now I love me some 6th Sense, and upon re-watching Unbreakable is pretty good. As far as his other films, god I hope he’s right. It bodes well that this is the July 4th weekend movie… everything else stepped away.

July 7th

The Kids Are All Right – Two teenagers seek out their biological father (Mark Ruffalo), the kids bring him back into the fold with their mothers (Annette Bening, and Julianne Moore) and hilarity ensues. So says the press release… I’m guessing it’s less “hilarity,” and more, “dry, Sideways, snicker in your seat next to the octagenarian,” funny.

July 9th

Cyrus – Mmmmmarisa Tomei. Being that she shot a video for my website and all… I feel an obligation to say: Movie of the summer!!! Go see it! Obligation aside… it’ll probably be cute and funny. I like John C. Reilly and Jonah Hill doesn’t do anything for me in either direction so… I’ll give it a shot.

Despicable Me – Crazy bad guy plots to steal the moon. Animated feature from universal. Looks cute. It seems to me that it’s rare when a sharp looking well-produced CGI film from a major studio turns out badly. They work on the damn thing for 7 years, so there’s time to iron out kinks. I’ll end this by just listing the voice cast: Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Kristen Wiig, Will Arnett, Danny McBride, Russell Brand, Jemaine Clement, Jack McBrayer, Julie Andrews, Miranda Cosgrove, Mindy Kaling.

Predators – What??!! Two Adrien Brody movies in one summer?!? I’m going to go out on a limb and say that this one will probably not be as good, but will be more enjoyable… I know that makes no sense… but I rarely do.

Winnebago Man – A documentary about a guy who became “famous,” for cursing in a winnebago commercial that spread around the internet. I would sooner see a documentary about Numa Numa kid.

July 16th

Inception – The guy that directed Dark Knight got together Leonardo DiCaprio, Marion Cotillard, and Ken Watanabe among others to make… um… a movie. Honestly I have no idea what this movie is going to be about, but it looks REALLY cool and will probably be really fucking good. But I’ve been wrong before.

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice – Re-cast the sorcerer bit from Disney’s Fantasia with real people… who’d you come up with? Yeah, I didn’t pick those two either… My worry is Nic Cage. He’s good in one movie every 5-8 years. He was good in Kick-Ass… the odds are not with him for this.

July 23rd

Dinner for Schmucks –Steve Carell and Paul Rudd together again in a re-make of a really dark French film. They lightened it up a bit and threw in Galifinakis. Which means… I’m totally in.

Ramona and Beezus – Finally a Beverly Cleary movie! I was partial to Judy Blume. I literally could not care less about this film. It’s got some Disney tween star and Tom Brady’s ex. That’s all I’m giving you on this one.

Salt – Angelina Jolie playing a role that was written for Tom Cruise, I’m amazed that this hasn’t happened sooner. There was a rumor going around that Tom was offered the lead in Tomb Raider but that’s neither here nor there.

July 30th

The Adjustment Bureau– I’m glad they made another Bourne film, but I hope it’s not like Green Zone, what? That wasn’t a Bourne movie? What? Neither is this? Coulda fooled me. This one is supposed to be based on a Philip K Dick story, I worship the ground he walks on, but this looks to be a loosely based situation, and Dick can go wrong… see Paycheck?

Beastly – I think this is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast… but I have no idea. I just know that Mary-Kate Olsen is in it… so it might just be a documentary about that cow. Mary-Kate if you’re reading this, put down the fork!

Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore – Remember a few lines up I said, “Dick can go wrong,” it was funny because it was in reference to sci-fi writer Philip K Dick, not about male genitalia. Remember that Bond movie character named Pussy Galore? Now…. remember that kids movie that made a reference to it? It’s this one. I’m not talking about it.

The Dry Land – Soldier returns from Iraq…. blah blah blah… trouble adjusting… blah blah blah… abondons the woman he left behind… blah blah blah… redemption. Now you don’t have to see it.

Get Low – Robert Duvall as a guy who plans his own funeral when he was still alive so he could enjoy it. Bill Murray’s addition makes is this almost irresistible, Tim McGraw is a bit of a curveball… add it to your netflix… go to the beach, summer is no time for a movie of this caliber.

July (undetermined)

Hairspray 2 – I didn’t see the first one and if you strapped me to an Clockwork Orange contraption and forced me to watch this one I would concentrate on making my eyes explode.

Mao’s Last Dancer – At the age of 11, Li Cunxin was plucked from a poor Chinese village by Madame Mao’s cultural delegates and taken to Beijing to study ballet. In 1979, during a cultural exchange to Texas, he fell in love with an American woman. Top billing: Bruce Greenwood and Kyle Mac-Lachlan. In that plot breakdown… you tell me who the fuck they play.

Middle Men – Yet another, “based on a true story,” movie this summer… this one focuses on the 2 guys who basically invent internet porn. While I’ve never in my life been to a pornographic website (shhhh… my mother my be reading this), this movie looks like it might be really good.

The Other Guys – For every Bruce Willis and Reginald Vel Johnson, for every Mel GIbson and Danny Glover, for every Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker… there are two guys at a desk… those two guys apparently are Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg. I’ll go … one problem… Marky Mark told EW he’s very happy to be doing a comedy, he’s had bit parts in them, but he’s never starred in one. Anyone else remember The Big Hit? Didn’t he star in that? What was that? A period drama?

Step Up 3D – If you live in NY, please don’t go so see this movie. Because if you do, you might see me there, because I will be there. I’m just not ready to face up to it yet.

August 13th

Eat, Pray, Love – When the plot synopsis includes the words, “married woman,” and “journey of self-discovery,” and it stars Julia Roberts. I’ll be in the theatre … next door… seeing:

The Expendables – To quote the guy outside the movie theatre in Queens after seeing the trailer, “dis movie has got like every actor in it ever.” I don’t know that it’s every actor ever, nor do I know if you can technically call everyone in this movie, an “actor.” In case you haven’t heard, 2 cameos from Bruce Willis, and the Governator, you’ve got Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Mickey Rourke, Randy Couture, Dolph Lungdren, Steve Austin, Charisma Carpenter, Brittany Murphy, Terry Crews, and Eric Roberts. See you there.

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World –Michael Cera being his usual awkward self, having to turn action hero to defeat his new girlfriends exes. I want to see this for a myriad of reasons. I want to see this while not wearing pants for 3 reasons, Mary Elizabeth Winstead (in a different cotton candy colored wig in every scene), Alison Pill, and Anna Kendrick.

August 20th

The Lottery Ticket – Bow Wow, and Ice Cube star in a … you know what… not doing this. See the title? That’s what it’s about. See the stars? There will also be some barking and a glass of lemonade sweaty with condensation

Nanny McPhee 2 – the first one was really cute. I’m just sayin’.

The Switch – Ordinarily I would avoid a Jen Aniston rom-com, but I would watch Jason Bateman read a phonebook. I may be all movied out by this point in the summer but I may still catch this one.

Takers – A crew doing high tech heists is pursued by a cop. One of the stars likened it to Heat. Wishful thinking I would say. I’ll wait to see what the buzz is (tell me whats a happenin) when we get closer.

August 27th (ma birfday)

Centurion – Roman soldiers in Scotland… another stoner road comedy… just kidding… more swords and sweaty men… haven’t seen the trailer yet… but I do plan on catching up on Spartacus the series this summer… may put me in the mood.

Going the Distance – Drew Barrymore tarnishes the family name with yet another romantic comedy. This one with her on again off again real life boyfriend Justin Long. Jason Sudeikis is in it though, and if I hear he’s in more than 20 minutes of the movie, maybe I’ll rent it.

Piranha 3-D – Happy Birthday to me.

This concludes the summer movie round up. I hope I’ve been helpful. Feel free to let me know that I’m wrong or more likely very, very right about regarding this textual vomit about any of these movies. Until next time… see you at the overpriced multi-plex.

May 9, 2008

REVERSIBLE PANDA’S

2008 Summer Movie Guide

(Some dates subject to change)

(Click titles to watch trailer or something related if no trailer is available)

May 2 (Last Friday)

Iron Man – I think you all know my opinion on this one. Awesome. In case you hadn’t heard yet… Ironman 2 already has a release date. Same weekend 2010. Followed by Thor in June 2010, Captain America in May 2011, and the Avengers in July 2011. Thank you Marvel.

Made of Honor– I don’t know what to say… Michelle Monaghan is one of the most talented and beautiful (indeed she is among my top 5) actresses working today… but Michelle… I sat through the Heartbreak Kid for you… and that’s it… you get one… I’ll see you again when you do something not derivative of everything.

Redbelt– Chiwetel Ejiofor is one of those actors I could watch read the phone book. Except he’s not reading the phone book here, he’s reciting dialogue written by David Mamet. Mamet is a master of words, this however is a movie about Judo. “The Edge,” was a Mamet movie about man vs. nature and that turned out ok… but this one has Tim Allen… maybe I’ll wait for dvd.Son of Rambow– I won’t queer myself any more than to say… this movie looks cute. I will totally rent it. Or go see it on a rainy day by myself if I’m feeling sad.

May 9 (Today)

Speed Racer – The first 3 minutes of this movie leaked out online. I watched it. My eyes bled. I no longer have any desire to see this film. Hey Wachowski brothers (er… brother and other)… let me break down your formula for you as it seems you haven’t done yet…

You see where I’m going with this guys?What Happens in Vegas– I shant go near the theater for fear that at the end of the movie Ashton will run out and say, “You paid to see this!! You got punk’d!!!”

The Babysitters – I love seeing John Leguizamo in dramatic roles… the guy has got chops and the subject matter (high school girls offer other ‘services’ to the married men they babysit for) sounds well worn, but I can’t think of a movie that handled it like this. I’ll give this one the indie hopeful award.The Fall – The last movie Tarsem Singh directed was The Cell, probably one of Jennifer Lopez’s only watchable movies. It really did have a few really interesting visuals (the vivisected horse anyone?). This wasn’t even going to get a release until David Fincher and Spike Jonze saw it and decided to throw some money into releasing it. That’s one hell of a vote of confidence.The Tracey Fragments – I know nothing of this film other than it stars Ellen Page. It’s probably only going to be released in NY… which doesn’t bode well… and that Tracey spends part of the movie naked wearing only a curtain… which does bode well.

May 16 (Friday)

May 22 (Thursday)

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull– This gets the award for movie I will probably see 3 times in the theater. If I could find a theater that ran a marathon of all the Indy movies the day before I would be there for that. I pray to God they don’t shit all over the franchise. It’s looking good so far. Fingers crossed. In lieu of a theater screening… I will be watching the first 3 movies at home the week leading up to the release.

May 23 (Friday)

The Children of Huang Shi – The what of who? The cast include Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Radha Mitchell, Chow Yun Fat, Michelle Yeoh… ok… I’m intrigued. But why haven’t I heard of this til now?War, Inc.– John Cusack… who I remember liking at some point in his career… has made some odd choices as of late. This time around he plays a hit man trying to kill some sort of oil baron in the middle east and wackiness ensues. Ok… so Gross Pointe Blank but in a desert. All right, I’ll give it a shot. At least you’re trying.

May 30 (Friday)

Sex and the City: The Movie– I can’t think of anything short of the offer of oral sex by all the female attendees of Hugh Hefner’s last birthday party. And seriously… if even one of them backs out, I’m not seein’ the movie.The Strangers – Let’s take Funny Games cross it with the Orphanage, throw Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman in it and release it as the horror alternative for guys the same weekend as Sex in the City. It would have been brilliant… if not for the fact that this was supposed to come out last year… that usually doesn’t inspire confidence.The Foot Fist Way– Much in the same way that The Fall has been championed by people at the forefront of it’s style. Foot Fist Way is being touted by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay as the funniest damn thing they’ve ever seen. The trailer looks like it might provide a few laughs but I don’t know about going near a cinema the same weekend that chick movie is coming out. The amount of estrogen in the air might be enough to turn Rambo into Bambi.

June 6 (Friday)

Kung Fu Panda – Um… it’s about a panda. Who does Kung-Fu. Voiced by Jack Black. Other voices include Jackie Chan, and Ian Mc’fucking’Shane. Yeah… I’m going. What?Mongol – This was nominated for an Academy Award for best Foreign Film. It’s about the rise of Genghis Khan. It’s epic, it’s violent… It’s subtitled… I’m a lazy American, I’ll wait for DVD.You Don’t Mess with the Zohan – The concept sounds stupid. The concept for Sandler movies often does. This last trailer I saw… it actually looks like it won’t be awful. I refused to even see Chuck & Larry, it looked so stupid and that had Jessica Biel. So, me saying this looks half decent is saying a lot. Maybe a double feature with Panda.

The Go-Getter– a Sundance fave about a boy (Lou Taylor Pucci, from the over-rated Thumbsucker) who steals a car from a woman (Zooey Deschanel, from my pleasant dreams) to drive South to tell his brother that their mother died. Oh, and he wears a cowboy hat. Sounds like a real pick-me-up, thanks Sundance.The Promotion– I’m kind of shocked they’re putting this one out the same weekend as Zohan, this one has the in my opinion, very under-rated Seann William Scott and John C. Reilly competing for a promotion. Throw in Jenna Fischer as Seann’s wife. Make it a mix of dry humor, slapstick comedy, and drama… and this is where I will be this weekend.

June 13 (Friday “the 13th”)

The Happening– I still haven’t even seen The Village or Lady in the Water, I didn’t like Signs, and Unbreakable actually isn’t bad if you forget that Sixth Sense existed. This one, if the trailer is to be believed, looks like some sort of mental illness that strikes humanity and causes them to kill themselves. Probably wind up being a rapture parable. Might be ok… I’ll wait to hear more.The Incredible Hulk– I’d like to say that this looks leaps and bounds better than the Ang Lee Hulk. I’d like to say that. I won’t… because I’m going to try and keep my expectations low so I can enjoy this one. The cast certainly has gravitas… Ed Norton, Tim Roth… I’ll take the ride.

June 20 (Friday)

Get Smart– Brilliant property to bring back from television, brilliant vehicle for Steve Carell. I Spy didn’t work… but it didn’t have Anne Hathaway as female lead.The Love Guru– I can’t say that this is going to suck. I mean, I’m pretty sure it will, but I thought Austin Powers would suck. This just looks like the same jokes with a different accent. So will it work? Never underestimate the stupidity of audiences. Give them a few lines that they can quote incessantly (Austin Powers), remind them of other things they thought were cool (Meet the Spartans) and they will turn out in droves.Religulous – Larry Charles, the guy that directed Borat, this time uses the infinitely less likable (in most peoples opinions) Bill Maher to skewer religion. I think it will be hilarious and frightening all at the same time. Probably more focused on actually exposing religious zealots and laughing at them than on hairy fat guy scrotums dangled in the leads face (a la’ Borat)… but they’ll be fine because Bill Maher’s face already LOOKS like a scrotum. Zing!

June 27 (Friday)

Wall-E– Insiders are worried. Can a movie with a non-human, mute robot as a lead work? It’s Pixar. I guarantee it will work. It will be amazing. You will laugh, you will cry… it will win best animated feature, people will say it should be in the best picture category.Wanted– More bullet-time than The Matrix, Angelina Jolie hanging out of cars, Morgan Freeman, AND Mr. Tumnus! Based on a comic book where a guy finds out because of his bloodline he has it in him to be a master assassin! Directed by the Russian guy that directed Nightwatch! Breathe. Don’t get your hopes up… this could be awesome. But if it isn’t… wait 5 days because here comes Will Smiff.

July 2 (Wednesday)

Hancock– Hmm… a July 4 weekend movie. Nothing else opening at all except an art house film? I wonder why? Oh… because Will Smith is in it and this is HIS weekend. Step off bitches! I also have to admit… I really think this may be THE new property to beat this summer. It may not top established franchises or comic book movies, but… this looks really, really good. I’m excited about it. The original title of the screenplay was Tonight… He Comes, and I had heard stories about it circulating Hollywood for years as everyones favorite script that no one would ever produce. There was an article last week in the New York times where director, Peter Berg (who I admire), said this is a much darker film then people think. They’ve tried to keep tight to the original script but there were somethings they just had to cut or change (statutory rape, drinking with a 12 year old, and drunk driving/flying are all cited as examples) to keep the studio happy. I am already excited for a very dark director’s cut on DVD.

July 3 (Thursday)

The Wackness– A heartwarming film about a teenage drug dealer and his drug using psychiatrist. I’ve actually heard a lot of good things about this one. I prefer to think of it as Ben Kingsley wanted to have a reason to make out with one of the Olsen twins so he somehow made this thing happen.

July 11 (Friday)

Hellboy II: The Golden Army– If you liked the first one (which I did) odds are you’ll love this one. If you didn’t care for the first one, odds are you’ll like this one. That’s my two cents. Frankly I don’t think Del Toro can make a misstep on this one. He cares too much about it.Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D– If you see one Brendan Fraser movie this summer… wait til august and see the mummy. Seriously… the 3D gimmick isn’t coming back til James Cameron’s Avatar. Then we’ll see what’s what… but I don’t need to see lava flows and rocks comin’ at my head.Meet Dave– Eddie Murphy needs new people. Seriously. Norbit? Pluto Nash? Now this? Who tells you these are good ideas? You clearly don’t realize how detrimental they are to you… you need to excise this person from your life as badly as Amy Winehouse needs to be separated from her dealer.

July 18 (Friday)

The Dark Knight– I’ve seen the leaked photos of two face, I’ve seen the Joker-tampered trailer… I don’t know that this is the type of thing that would’ve gotten Heath Ledger nominated were he not dead, but that’s what people are saying. From the looks of the trailer, his take on the icon does look exciting and I along with the rest of the movie going public am chomping at the bit to see if he left this mortal coil on a good note. I will be there on opening weekend.Mamma Mia!– Here I go again. My, my, how can I resist you? I’ll tell you how… by not seeing you. Period.Space Chimps– Andy Samberg as a chimp. Visionary. It’s not Pixar and it shows. Expect farting in a space suit jokes and some off color banana references. Buy me the DVD when it comes out but be sure to include a bad of hydroponic weed and a time machine to return me to age 5 when you present the gift to me so I can enjoy it.

July 25 (Friday)

American Teen– A documentary about 4 high school seniors in the middle of East Bumblefuck, Indiana. From the looks of the trailer and from the hype coming out of festivals… it might actually be a good movie. A slice of life of American High School. Here’s the problem, I went to an American high school, I in no way want to relive my high school experience so uncomfortably real. Breakfast Club, hell yeah. Real life… god no.Step Brothers– Do you like Will Ferrell movies? See this one. Do you not like Will Ferrell movies? Skip it. It’s that easy people. If you don’t like him because he always winds up in his underwear and it’s supposed to be funny, and you just don’t get it… guess what? He’ll probably end up in his underwear again, and you still won’t think it’s funny. I am among those that see the humor in it.The X-Files: I Want to Believe– Chris Carter… I want to believe that people still give a shit about the x-files too. But listen… the show ended 6 years ago. Yeah, just 6… that doesn’t seem that long ago to me either, but if I hadn’t just told me that it was only 6 years ago, I would’ve thought it was 15. If the trailer turns out ok I’ll think about it, but I’m not making any promises… it’s a busy summer.

Baghead– Sundance buzz movie. But wait… don’t skip ahead for your popcorn fix just yet. This movie is a horror film, well no, a comedy… but it’s kind of a drama. Apparently it’s everything rolled into one. It seems silly but it has a lot of buzz around it. Wait til you see the trailer and decide for yourself.

August 1 (Friday)

Chuck Palahniuk’s Choke– I love me some Chuck Palahniuk. Sam Rockwell just sweetens the deal for me. The book is about a sex-addict who sues people who save his life when he pretends to choke on something in a restaurant. I have to assume the movie is about that as well. That character is squarely in what I would call Rockwell’s wheelhouse… so yeah, I’ll buy a ticket to see that.Midnight Meat Train– One weekend two great writers… this one comes from Clive Barker. We’ve got Bradley Cooper in the lead as a photographer who stumbles upon a grotesque crime (as they are prone to do in films like this)… a crime committed by Vinnie Jones (awesome). The cast is rounded out by Leslie Bibb, Brooke Shields?, and the ever more horror film present Roger Bart.The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor– I liked the Mummy. I did. It was a good time. (The ride at the park in Orlando is pretty fantastic too) This one has Jet Li. It’ll be a good time. A popcorn movie sure, but I bet you leave the theater smiling.The Rocker– Rainn Wilson’s first attempt at headlining a movie. I like him as Dwight on the Office… I don’t know if I’m ready to watch him do what looks to be School of Rock the sequel.

Swing Vote – Could be interesting, it looks like they fast tracked it and rushed everything being that it is a movie about the presidential election and they wanted to capitalize on it’s relevance. Kevin Costner has gone through so many weird phases in his career and this one looks like he’s back to that Bull Durham charm. I never saw Wag the Dog, I really liked Bullworth, but neither of those did huge box office… political comedy is hard.

Transsiberian– This one may only get NY and LA release… setting it on a train and calling it a Hitchcockian mystery makes me think it might be ok. The fact that it stars Woody Harrelson, Emily Mortimer, and Ben Kingsley, but is still only getting limited release makes me think it might fall a few rungs shy of Strangers on a Train. Emily Mortimer looks fantastic in the trailer and Kate Mara looks hot as hell. I’ll give it a shot if I’m burned out on blockbusters.

August 8 (Friday)

Pineapple Express– I am actually very excited about this one. James Franco is starting to grow on me. Not because of Spiderman or anything, just his Acting with James Franco videos on Funny or Die. In the trailer for this one he’s already getting kudos for being the “hot guy,” who takes the offbeat “ugly guy” role. I just give him kudos for driving with one foot comically stuck through the windshield. I think this one may be the best of comedy of the summer, until next week when Tropic Thunder comes out.Hell Ride– You can’t count this one out. Sure it stars Joey Bishops son Larry. Sure it’s got Dennis Hopper and Michael Madsen… neither of whom have carried a movie on their shoulders. But… you take that cast and say it’s a throwback to biker cinema and you question theatrical release. Now if I tell you it’s produced by Quentin Tarantino it all makes sense doesn’t it… and you kinda want to see don’t you? A biker revenge flick about a guy tracking down a gang called the 666’ers for killing his woman. Yeah. I’ll bite.The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 –Alexis Bledel is so hot I would CONSIDER watching this if I was home alone and flipping channels and I knew no one would ever find out about it and I wasn’t wearing pants… and I was drunk.

August 15 (Friday)

Star Wars: The Clone Wars– You know it’s funny. George Lucas was thinking… now that I’ve taken a dump all over my beloved franchise… let me go ahead and squeeze out another couple of yachts from the lifeless corpse of my child. I’ve give you the animated version of what happened between episodes II and III… alternately known as the episode that I fell asleep in the theater and the episode that was almost ok.Tropic Thunder– Every genre has been parodied. Shockingly, the war movie has gotten off fairly easy. Aside from winks and nods in things like Hot Shots: Part Deux, this is new terrain. Throw in Robert Downey Jr. playing a black man and this solidifies the summer of 2008 as the summer of Robert Downey Jr.

Henry Poole Is Here– Luke Wilson in his umpteenth attempt at being a leading man. I’m pulling for him. He’s always had an understated non-acting style… like Duchovny. This one is about a guy who has given up on life until the face of Jesus appears on his stucco. Another Sundance darling it looks cute and has a soundtrack with everything from Bob Dylan to the Eels. Might be OK.

August 22 (Friday)

The Accidental Husband– Griffin Dunne has done some things that I’ve enjoyed… all of those things were as an actor with one notable exception (After Hours) as a producer. Dunne directs Uma Thurman in what I assume will be a romantic comedy. The plot that I’ve seen… “radio show host gets dumped and finds out she’s married to a man she’s never met…” makes me want to punch a baby.Bangkok Dangerous– Two Chinese directors, the Pang brothers (One of whom’s first name is Oxide) are re-making their own movie. This time in Engrish. Wif Nicorass Cage! That was offensive… sorry. In fact in the original, the assassin that Nic is playing was a mute. That wasn’t gonna fly for Mr.Cage and English audiences, we need our anti-heroes to spew out one-liners. My point is why see what’s sure to be an inferior remake where it will be obvious that some aspects of the story are lost in translation when you can watch the original with the added bonus of it not starring Nicolas Cage? On the hand, lets cross our fingers that it’s a return to the Nicolas Cage I used to enjoy.House Bunny– Anna Faris as a playboy bunny. I don’t think I have to say any more than that for you to know that I am seeing this movie. And as bonus… it’s a chick flick so I get points with the girlfriend for wanting to see it.Towelhead(formerly Nothing is Private)- A film about a 13 year old Arab-American girl stuggling with her sexuality. Directed by Alan Ball, the guy who wrote American Beauty (which I still don’t give him full credit for since the original draft was a courtroom drama). The film partly concerns a middle aged guy (Aaron Eckhart), who develops a crush on the 13 year old Arab girl. If there is a shot of her naked with rose petals falling on her I’m calling shenanigans. If Alan Ball wasn’t gay I would think he has some kind of obsession with teenage girls. Of course this played Sundance and of course with this topic it was a critical darling. Will anyone other than film and cultural studies students care to see it? We’ll see.Wild Child– I know nothing about this film other than it stars Emma Roberts. Ipso facto I probably won’t know anything about this movie even after it has come and gone from the theater. I tried to watch the trailer but 5 seconds in my brain told my hand to poke myself in the eyes as a means of self-preservation.

Hamlet 2– This one sold for the highest price at Sundance but isn’t your typical festival fare. It was co-written by one of South Park’s head writers, it’s got Steve Coogan, Amy Poehler, Catherine Keener and features a song called, “Rock Me Sexy Jesus.” This will probably be my favorite indie of the summer.

August 29 (Friday)

Babylon A.D.– I really don’t want to tell you I’m looking forward to a Vin Diesel movie… but… the poster looks like Blade Runner and the trailer doesn’t give away much except it seems to take place in an American dystopia and there will be explosions and kicking in the face.College– It’s Porky’s, Old School, Accepted, Revenge of the Nerds, Road Trip, SuperBad, Animal House, uh… ok… any movie starring teenagers where girls take their tops off, kids get drunk, there’s a party, and some kids probably learn there is more to life than just topless girls, drinking and partying. That about sums that up. Oh… and one of the stars is that kid from last season’s American Idol, Kevin Covais… remember the little mousy kid with the glasses who looked like he was 12… well now he’s in a movie. What have you done with your life?Vicky Cristina Barcelona– Woody Allen’s next film with his latest muse Scarlett Johansson. As usual he’s assembled a ridiculously talented cast (Scarlett, Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz among them), and he’s being “daring” by not shooting in his beloved NY and setting this one in Barcelona. I used to like Woody. Maybe I will again.

March 25, 2008

As a native of New Orleans I am passing along some sad news. Perhaps our biggest local celebrity, Al Copeland, passed away on Sunday. Al was the founder of Popeye’s chicken. He since opened several fine dining restaurants in the city but the nation knows him for his chicken chain. I will remember him for several years of fond childhood Xmas memories. He had a house with a huge lawn that every year he decorated with 30 foot high electric snowmen and reindeer, we would drive over and get in the line to circle his house in the car and gawk at the extravaganza. Perhaps tonight I will stop and get a buttermilk biscuit and think of him.

I am absolutely astounded at this… if today was April 1st I would throw the shenanigans flag and walk away with a smile… but apparently this is for real and might just be the most amazing thing I have ever read:

There is one book in particular on this list that several friends have read and truly do believe in… I think it’s utter bullshit, but I also believe that if it gives them strength and a positive outlook, good for them. It’s just not for me. I will however continue to laugh behind their backs:

Star Wars isn’t really one of my favorite things. It’s like Stones vs. Beatles with Trek vs. Wars. The only difference being… I don’t really feel passionate about either. I will however continue to find things like this and post them because it’s the internet. There will never be a dearth of Star Wars related material on the inter tubes:

I have owned the musical film Reefer Madness for quite sometime… I just haven’t gotten around to watching it… tonight I will go home and rip my apartment to pieces to find it… I had no idea it was this good… and by this good I mean, I didn’t know Kristen Bell wore a dominatrix outfit… I just made my own day:

It says a lot when you think, “You know, sticking a lemon into your hoo haa is a pretty sane and rational way to prevent pregnancy… comparatively.”:

I knew there would be a second coming… but… heaven must’ve f*&’ed up some paperwork, because this is not what I was expecting. I thought he might take a different form, a flamingo, a daschund, an asian woman… but a cheeto? :